mental health and lifestyle

May Reflections – Finishing Uni and Going Backwards

Considering everything that has happened in my life over May, I’d like to be able to think about the past month as having taken a step back in order to spring forwards. I’m holding onto the hope that this is just the chaos before the clarity. Although good things have happened this month, it really has not been great overall. Kind of like buying a tube of fruit pastilles before realising you only like the green sweets and you’re now stuck with the whole packet.

You see, April was possibly the best month of the year for me so far – I had come to terms with my future university decision and I said enough is enough to the gloominess hanging over me. I upped my exercise, got out of bed early everyday, and focussed on self-care and organisation. I was fighting to be able to look back and know that I did everything I could to make April a great month – and it worked. My general wellbeing improved and everything felt tinged in a shimmer of possibility.

But this couldn’t trip over the threshold into May apparently; I’m putting this down to a combination of stress and physical health problems. I had my final load of work for Open University to finish and, because of this, I spent hours staring at my laptop screen and pulling my hair out in the hope that this might be the magical combination for creating brilliant essays. I don’t know if it is or not, but either way I got through all of my work and sent in the final essay last weekend. I’m proud of myself for completing a full-time year with the OU, even though the reality of having reached the end point hasn’t actually hit me yet.

Perhaps this is because since the middle of the month I’ve been struggling with stomach pains that have been on and off for about a year now. This month they’ve been more frequent, and have refused to go away. On top of this, I caught some kind of virus that gave me a near-constant headache, made my eyes and glands swell up and caused everything to ache. I’ve been to the doctor several times already and they’re trying to figure it all out but I am struggling quite a bit to get on with everything.

Because of this, the inevitable has happened: the demise of my exercise plans and a serious lack of motivation for bullet journalling. Everything has sort of fallen apart. One thing I’ve really tried to keep going no matter what is blogging. It has been a great distraction and this month has been pretty good for my blog in several ways: I reached 800 followers, have hit the highest monthly page views I’ve ever had, started collaborating with more people, and finally set up my Instagram account.

Both online and in real life I’ve been focussing more on travel again: I’m starting to introduce more travel content onto my blog and I’m preparing myself for a month trip starting in roughly a week’s time. I am trying to be excited about this but feel a little apprehensive about it because of my current health issues.

To distract myself from everything going on in May I started watercolour painting, which I’m very intimidated and intrigued by. I don’t know if this will be something I keep doing, but for now I’m finding it helpful. I’ve also started reading a wonderful book about social anxiety and introversion, which is a topic I’ve wanted to write about on here for a while. This book is inspiring me a little, so look out for a post on that over the summer.

I’m hoping June is going to be a lot easier in terms of health. I really want to move past this, or at least put it to the side for a bit, so I can enjoy travelling with a friend I never get to see. Until then, I am taking it one day at a time and really trying to remain positive; I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how it all turns out. Stay tuned for that.

For now though, I hope you all had a lovely May and that June treats you well ❤

46 thoughts on “May Reflections – Finishing Uni and Going Backwards”

Congratulations on finishing all your essays for University! I had an exam earlier this month and am currently on placement so I understand the stress that May had brought – I hope June is a better month for you. I look forward to reading the post about the social anxiety book you have been reading. xx

Aww sorry to hear about your current health issues Alys, I hope the doctors figure out what’s going on soon 😘. Big congrats on completing your Open Uni course, I can totally relate to the hair pulling out staring at laptop stage. Fingers crossed you get the result you want and I hope June is a better month for you 💖 xx

Oh Alys, I’m so sorry to hear about how much you’ve been struggling with your health last month. I for sure haven’t been feeling all too well either, so you’re not alone my friend. You should be SO proud of yourself, like you completed them essays and you smashed that following number – like WELL DONE girl! Let’s hope for the both of us that June will be our month! ❤ xxxx

Hi Alys! I just discovered your blog and I can really relate to your thoughts and writting. I send you a lot of love and strenght, keep persuing what brings you balance, peace and well being. I really admire you and I am looking forward to see what life brings you ^^

I’m sorry to hear May wasn’t good for you! I also found april to be a great month & then it went a bit downhill in May, too. Maybe it was something in the air! I hope June is a lot better for you and the doctors get to the bottom of these stomach aches soon! Here’s to a happier and healthier month xxx

Congratulations on finishing your year with the OU and on hitting so many blogging milestones, even if you didn’t always feel your best.. 🙈 I hope that June treats you better and is just as successful! ✨

Congrats on finish your essays! I hope your health issues improve over this month. Its awful to feel like everything is falling apart but I hope it all picks up for you and you enjoy your travelling! Xx

Congrats on your uni course hun. I’m sorry about your health issues I hope you get some answer soon. There is nothing worse than waiting and not knowing what is wrong. I hope this month gives you the answers you need. Xx http://mummythomas.blog 💚

I’m sorry to hear that May hasn’t been the best health wise I hope that June is a lot better for you!! 💖water color painting sounds really relaxing. Also, would love to hear your thoughts on social anxiety. I struggle with anxiety so this post was very relatable to me. Loved the read, dear x

Thank you, you’re very kind ❤ I have written quite a lot about anxiety on my blog if you wanna have a nosy around, and I've got a lot more content coming over the summer! Thanks for your support lovely x

Girl, honestly sometimes I feel like theres always a high then a low… whenever I have a really great month where I’m on top of my shit, the next month usually devolves somehow. I’m sorry to hear May was like that for you, but I hope June will be a lot better! ❤ ❤

Yeah I agree, I feel like so far this year Feb and April have been good, and the others not so much. There’s a definite pattern, but I’d love to get a couple of good months in a row at some point! Thanks lovely, I hope you have a wonderful June ❤ x

its really inspiring that you finished uni!And june WILL be a lot better.I totally used to relate with the stomachaches, until I went vegan.Love your blog,keep writing awesome stuff<3Id love for you to check my blog out too:0